ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the genetic polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and the response to citalopram treatment and side effects in Turkish patients with major depressive disorder. The study involved 51 patients who received 10-40 mg/day of citalopram for 4 to 6 weeks. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD-17) scale, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and UKU side effect rating scale (UKU) at weeks 4 and/or 6. The 5-HTTLPRL/S polymorphism was determined by slowdown-polymerase chain reaction method. Of the fifty-one pati-ents, 13 (26%) were the LL genotype, 21 (41%) were the LS genotype, 17 (33%) were the SS genotype. L allele se-ems to be associated with better response due to odds ratio for L allele versus S allele despite statistically insignifi-cant. In terms of CGI-Severity scale, The LL genotype versus the LS genotype had a higher risk at the week 6.